Interim CommBank Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni has leaned heavily on the Ninja A-League when picking his squad for the upcoming clashes with Brazil and Chinese Taipei, naming 15 players from the competition.
With the Matildas set to play four games in the space of 10 days, Sermanni has named a 36-player squad for the international friendlies against Brazil and Chinese Taipei which features a mix of familiar faces and six potential debutants as well.
Following a blistering start to the season striker Emily Gielnik is back in the Matildas set-up alongside fellow Melbourne Victory star Alex Chidiac, while Western United captain Chloe Logarzo also returns.
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Brisbane Roar duo Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier have been named as has the Ninja A-League’s all-time leading goalscorer, Canberra United’s Michelle Heyman, and her former Canberra teammate turned Western United goalkeeper, Chloe Lincoln.
Bryleeh Henry and Karly Roestbakken have earned recalls to the squad following a strong start to the season with Melbourne City, who currently sit top of the Ninja A-League with two wins from two, while Central Coast Mariners defender Jessika Nash will be hoping to win a second national team cap.
In terms of the potential debutants, Sermanni has handed call-ups to Melbourne City’s Leah Davidson, Mariners midfielder Isabel Gomez, Sydney FC midfielder Hana Lowry and Newcastle Jets defender Natasha Prior while Adelaide United defender Matilda McNamara will also hope to add to her tally of 1 cap.
Meanwhile former Perth Glory goalkeeper Morgan Aquino has also been named in the squad following a strong start to life with Power FC in the USL Super League in America.
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“Traditionally the first camps at the beginning of a new cycle is exciting time as it presents an opening to evaluate players that have previously had limited or no opportunities to showcase their capabilities,” said interim boss Sermanni.
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“With their stylistic differences, Brazil and Chinese Taipei are opponents that allow us to continue the work of identifying new talent and building depth in the senior roster that will strengthen the foundations for the Asian Cup, World Cup and Olympic major tournaments set for the next four years.
“Players have earned their selection in this window through their performances and application in the last October camp and, with the Ninja A-League competition now underway, their club performances in Australia and abroad.”
He concluded: “We are pleased that we are able to reward players for their club form. The coaching staff and I are eager to see which players will take this chance to showcase their qualities and step up to demonstrate they are of international calibre.”
The Matildas kick off their four-match schedule with a clash against Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on November 28, a contest which will be the last at national level for Matildas legend Clare Polkinghorne after announcing she intends to retire from international football.
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Australia then take on Brazil again, this time on December 1 on the Gold Coast, before then playing two matches against Chinese Taipei on December 4 and December 7 at AAMI Park and Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium respectively.
Meanwhile, Newcastle Jets legend Emily van Egmond is also on the verge of reaching a major international milestone, currently sitting on 149 caps for the Matildas.
